Residents urge LA County to halt Marina del Rey fireworks over wildlife concerns

A coalition of residents plans a June 22 news conference and office delivery in Los Angeles to push county officials to stop July 4 and New Year’s Eve fireworks over Marina del Rey. The group says the displays threaten endangered birds and other wildlife near Ballona Wetlands and could violate California endangered species law.

Why it matters: - Residents say fireworks over Marina del Rey pose a direct threat to endangered and nesting wildlife in the adjacent Ballona Wetlands Ecological Reserve and the Endangered Bird Habitat for the California Least Tern. - The coalition argues the displays create avoidable harm at a time when climate change, pollution and overdevelopment are already pressuring biodiversity. - The group is also urging Los Angeles County to replace traditional fireworks with drone and light shows.

What happened: - A coalition of concerned citizens plans a news conference on Monday, June 22, 2026, at 1 p.m. PT outside Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly Mitchell’s office in Los Angeles. - After the news conference, the group will deliver its message to the LA County Department of Beaches and Harbors in Marina del Rey. - The action calls for an immediate end to the annual July 4 and New Year’s Eve fireworks over Marina del Rey. - UnchainedTV will be live at both events.

The details: - The coalition says fireworks produce percussive shockwaves, toxic smoke and intense flashes that can traumatize wildlife nesting nearby. - The letter the group plans to deliver was drafted by attorney Christina Ku. - The letter warns of predictable violations of the California Endangered Species Act. - The fireworks overlap with nesting seasons for the California Least Tern, Belding’s Savannah Sparrow, Least Bell’s Vireo and the nearby Western Snowy Plover. - The coalition says the sensory impact can cause birds to panic and flee, which can lead to egg cooling, nest abandonment and premature fledging. - Ku said baby birds have fallen from nests during fireworks blasts and have been taken to wildlife rescue centers, though many do not survive. - The group also says pelicans, cormorants, egrets and sea lions in the Marina area are disturbed by the displays. - Signs near the area tell residents not to let dogs onto the beach between April 15 and Sept. 30 because the site is near the endangered bird habitat. - The coalition says that same level of caution should apply to fireworks, which it argues can do far greater harm. - The event details list the first stop as Supervisor Holly Mitchell’s office at 500 West Temple Street, near Grand, Los Angeles 90012. - The letter will be delivered to office 383, the executive office. - The group will then visit the LA County Beaches and Harbors office at 13837 Fiji Way, Marina del Rey 90292.

Between the lines: - The campaign reflects a broader push to use lower-impact public celebrations in place of fireworks, especially in sensitive coastal habitats. - Jane Velez-Mitchell, president of UnchainedTV and a local resident, compared the fireworks to “dropping a bomb on ground zero for Southern California wildlife.” - The organizers say Los Angeles should lead a shift toward drone and light shows rather than continue what they see as outdated pyrotechnics. - The mention of PTSD suggests the coalition is also framing the issue as a human-welfare concern, not only a wildlife issue.

What's next: - The coalition plans to present its letter and seek immediate action from county officials. - The group is pressing Los Angeles County to stop the annual fireworks events before the next scheduled celebrations. - UnchainedTV says it will broadcast the effort live as it unfolds.

The bottom line: - The dispute puts public celebration, county policy and endangered-species protection on a collision course in one of LA County’s most sensitive coastal areas.